Method and and an Arrangement for Call Establishment between an Internet Communication Environment and a Mobile Communication Environment

ABSTRACT

A method of and an arrangement for call establishment between user equipment ( 1 ) operating as a dient in an internet communication environment ( 4 ), and user equipment ( 2, 3 ) operating as a dient in a mobile communication environment ( 5 ). The mobile communication user equipment ( 2, 3 ) is emulated as a dient in the internet communication environment ( 4 ). A Status of the mobile communication user equipment ( 2, 3 ) is represented in the internet communication environment ( 4 ). Calls are established with the mobile communication user equipment ( 2, 3 ) operating as a dient in the internet communication environment ( 4 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telecommunications and, moreparticularly, to call establishment between user equipment operating asa client in an internet based communication environment, hereinafteralso called internet communication user or user equipment, and userequipment operating as a client in a mobile communication environment,hereinafter also called mobile communication user or user equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since the introduction of the first computer networks and in particularwith the advent of the internet, voice communication over computer datanetworks has been a subject of interest. One of the major challenges ofreal time communication over data packet networks is to ensure that thedata packets are delivered in sequential order.

Technology for transmitting voice conversations over the internet hasbeen available to end users since at least the 1990's, and is generallycalled after its communication protocol Voice over Internet Protocol orVoIP. VoIP is operated as a client-server model.

At the start of VoIP, voice communication was limited to users of theinternet. No connection to the POTS (Plain Old Telephony Services)system was offered. Some telecommunication equipment manufacturersoffered “dual mode” telephone sets capable of delivering mobile VoIP.

Other communication protocols developed for voice communication over theinternet by computers operate on a peer-to-peer model, rather than themore traditional client-server model. A user directory of these internetcommunication systems is substantially decentralized and distributedamong the nodes in the network, which means that these networks canscale very easily to large sizes without a complex and costlycentralized infrastructure.

Telephone calls between users of an internet communication system are ingeneral free of charge, apart from a fee to an Internet Service Provider(ISP). To contact users outside the internet communication system, asubscription is available for internet users for placing calls totraditional telephone devices, including mobile telephones, for a fee.Internet users may also subscribe to receive calls on their computers orinternet connected telephones, dialled by regular telephone subscribersto a local telephone number through which access to a user of theinternet communication system is provided. A user of the internetcommunication system in Australia, for example, may subscribe to a localtelephone number in Finland. Callers of Finland would only pay local ornational rates to call that number.

Telecommunication operators and consumers have invested substantially inmobile telephone equipment. In developed countries, mobile telephoneshave achieved nearly complete market penetration, and many people aregiving up landlines and using mobile equipment exclusively. On the otherhand, due to the possibility of making phone calls free of charge,internet communication systems have gained increased interest of thepublic.

In view of these developments, there is a growing need for users ofmobile communication systems and users of internet communication systemsto contact each other while keeping the best of both worlds, i.e.mobility and ease of use of a mobile telephone and establishing andreceiving calls as a regular internet communication user, respectively.

Most, if not all, of commercially available products may requirehardware to be installed at home, may require the use of an additionalSIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card or may require that hardware isconnected to a Personal Computer (PC) which permanently needs to beswitched on for establishing the required communication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of andequipment for establishing, i.e. placing and receiving calls betweenuser equipment of an internet communication system and user equipment ofa mobile communication system, not requiring additional hardware orhardware modifications to the user equipment and with minimal impact toexisting call establishment procedures.

These and other objects are provided, in a first aspect of theinvention, by a method of call establishment between user equipmentoperating as a client in an internet communication environment, and userequipment operating as a client in a mobile communication environment,comprising the steps of:

-   -   emulating the mobile communication user equipment as a client in        the internet communication environment,    -   representing a status of the mobile communication user equipment        in the internet communication environment, and    -   establishing a call with the mobile communication user equipment        as a client in the internet communication environment.

The concept of the present invention is that mobile communication userequipment operating in a mobile communication environment, such as butnot limited to a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications)communication environment, a UMTS (Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem) communication environment, and environments where GSM or UMTSare applied in a UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) communication domain orin a Home base station domain, will be “visible” as a regular client inthe internet communication environment or system. This facilitates thatinternet communication users may place or receive a voice call or avideo call to or from mobile communication users without specialsubscriptions as disclosed above. Hence an internet communication usermay contact a mobile communication user just as contacting anotherinternet communication user.

In an example of the invention, the mobile communication user equipmentis provided with an internet communication identity adapted for regularidentification in the internet communication environment, such as, forexample, John_Smith. Binding is maintained between this internetcommunication identity and a mobile communication identity of the mobilecommunication user equipment used for identification in the mobilecommunication environment. As such, the mobile communication userequipment or user is known in the internet communication environment asa regular internet communication user, including a regular internetcommunication user name. Accordingly, an internet communication user maycontact the mobile communication user using the internet communicationidentity, such as John_Smith, and does not have to know that the otherparty, who is visible as a regular internet communication user, has amobile telephone equipment operating in a regular mobile communicationenvironment or system.

However, according to the invention, in a further example thereof, thestatus representation may comprise an indication that the user equipmentis a mobile communication user equipment. The mobile communication usermay indicate, when becoming an internet communication user according tothe invention, whether he or she wants to reflect being a mobilecommunication user, such as John_Smith_mobile, rather than a PC-boundinternet communication user.

This feature may be advantageous, for example, when the mobilecommunication user, acting as an internet communication user, also is aregular internet communication user. Hence, he or she may be representedon the internet (1) as a regular internet communication user such asJohn_Smith_home, where home indicates that he or she is reachable on aPC based VOIP application, for example, and (2) as an internetcommunication user, reachable on a mobile communication device(John_Smith_mobile). This feature may further be advantageous when thereare costs associated with calling the internet communication user whenthat internet communication user is reachable on a mobile communicationdevice.

In a yet further example of the invention, the status representationcomprises call availability representation of the mobile communicationuser equipment in the mobile communication environment. Herewith, amechanism is provided by which the availability status of the mobilecommunication user equipment in the internet communication environmentis “synchronised” with the availability status of the mobilecommunication user equipment in the mobile communication environment. Inother words, when the mobile telephone equipment of a user is switchedon (or “attached”), then that user is reachable and hence will be markedas “available” in the internet communication environment. When themobile telephone equipment of a user is switched off (or “detached”),then that user is not reachable and hence will be marked as“unavailable” in the internet communication environment.

According to an example of the invention, calls in which the mobilecommunication user equipment operates as a client in the Internetcommunication environment are charged to the owner of the mobilecommunication user equipment.

According to another example of the invention, the status representationcomprises geographical location information of the mobile communicationuser equipment in the mobile communication environment. As will be knownto those skilled in the art, in a mobile communication environment, inparticular a cellular mobile communication system, the geographiclocation of the mobile communication user equipment is known through theexchange of, for example, a cell global identifier (i.e. mobile countrycode, mobile network code, location area code, cell identifier), alocation number (e.g. representing a location according the locallandline numbering plan) and geographical coordinates. The geographicalinformation provides an indication of the location where the mobilecommunication user equipment currently resides, such as registered inits home zone or registered through a Femto cell, for example. Rationalemay be that when the mobile user is registered in his/her home zone,terminating calls to that mobile user will be charged at a lower rate,for example as equivalent local calls, or may be free of charge.

This location information is used to augment the user statusrepresentation in the internet communication environment by a ‘locationqualifier’. The location qualifier may, for example, consist of a textstring providing an indication of the location where the user currentlyresides. For privacy reasons, the mobile communication user mayindicate, when becoming an internet communication user, whether thelocation information is made visible to the users of the Internetcommunication environment.

In another example of the invention, call establishment is madedependent on the location of the mobile communication user equipment.With this feature, among others, a mobile communication user may avoidbeing charged for calls from internet communication users, for example,if the mobile communication user equipment has roamed to another mobilecommunication network, not being its home network, such as to a foreignnetwork.

The invention further provides a method wherein the mobile communicationuser equipment receives an indication of a call setup request from userequipment operating as a client in the internet communicationenvironment. This feature also provides the mobile communication user anoption to take or refuse a call from the internet communicationenvironment to avoid charges, for example.

In another example of the invention, the status representation isselectively adaptable contained in a mobile communication user equipmentprofile. Preferably, a mobile communication user has, at all times,access to the user profile for adapting the user profile for operationas a client in the internet communication environment.

In a further example of the invention, call establishment is enabled ifa call setup request from mobile communication user equipment operatingas a client in the mobile communication environment comprises anidentity of user equipment operating as a client in the internetcommunication environment. That is, a mobile user may set up a call toan internet communication user by directly “dialling” the internetcommunication identity of the called user from the mobile communicationuser equipment.

In such case, the call established by the mobile communication userarrives at the internet communication user and is presented to thisinternet communication user as if the call were coming from anotherinternet communication user. This method facilitates, for example, thatthe internet communication user, receiving the call from the mobilecommunication user, may call that mobile communication user back at alater stage, using normal call establishment methodology for callinganother internet communication user.

This identity feature whereby the mobile communication user equipmentoperating as a client in the mobile communication environment directly“dials” the internet communication identity of the called user from themobile communication user equipment, in a further example of theinvention, is disabled if the destination internet communication user isa mobile communication user which is emulated as a client in theinternet communication environment. Instead of setting up the call viathe internet communication environment, call setup is established as aregular call setup in a mobile communication environment.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that exchange of message calls,such as text or video messages, is very popular in today's mobilecommunication. According to the invention, in a still further examplethereof, message calls from user equipment operating as a client in theinternet communication environment to mobile communication userequipment emulated for operating as a client in the internetcommunication environment are delivered following a store-and-forwardscheme.

In this manner, text and video messages are forwarded from internetcommunication user equipment within the regular internet communicationenvironment to mobile communication user equipment, also when the mobilecommunication user equipment is currently not operating as a regularinternet communication client, i.e. “unavailable” because the mobilecommunication user equipment is “detached”. As soon as the mobilecommunication user equipment is registered and operating as an internetcommunication client, the message calls will be delivered.

Like the receipt of speech calls, for example, as disclosed above, thereceipt of message calls may, for example, be enabled or disableddependent on location of the mobile communication user. The availabilityof mobile communication user equipment for the receipt of message callsis, in an example of the invention, represented by a suitable statusrepresentation within the internet communication environment.

The method according to invention is suitable for any type of internetcommunication, such as VoIP or peer-to-peer internet communicationsystems like the so-called Skype™ communication environment, because theinvention provides for conversion between the internet communicationenvironment communication protocols and the mobile communicationenvironment protocols, by emulating the mobile communication userequipment as a client in the internet communication environment.

In a second aspect, the invention provides an arrangement for callestablishment between user equipment operating as a client in aninternet communication environment and user equipment operating as aclient in a mobile communication environment, the arrangementcomprising:

-   -   emulation equipment for emulating the mobile communication user        equipment as a client in the internet communication environment,    -   status representation equipment for representing a status of the        mobile communication user equipment in the internet        communication environment, and    -   call establishing equipment for establishing calls with the        mobile communication user equipment as a client in the internet        communication environment.

The arrangement of the invention, in a further example thereof,comprises user provisioning equipment for providing the mobilecommunication user equipment an internet communication identity adaptedfor identification in the internet communication environment and forbinding the internet communication identity to a mobile communicationidentity of the mobile communication user equipment for identificationin the mobile communication environment.

The status representation equipment, in another example of theinvention, is arranged for providing in the internet communicationenvironment at least one of:

-   -   an indication that the user equipment is a mobile communication        user equipment,    -   call availability of the mobile communication user equipment in        the mobile communication environment,    -   messaging capability of the mobile communication user equipment        in the mobile communication environment,    -   geographical location information of the mobile communication        user equipment in the mobile communication environment, and    -   cost indication, in the case that establishing a call to the        mobile communication user equipment operating as a client in the        mobile communication environment, would incur costs for the        internet communication user.

In an example of the arrangement according to the invention, the statusrepresentation equipment is arranged for visually representing thestatus on a display of the internet communication user equipment. Suchas on the screen of a PC or on the display of a mobile communicationdevice having internet communication capability, such as VoIP, forexample.

According to the invention, the call establishing equipment, in afurther example thereof, is arranged for call establishment dependent onmobile communication user equipment location. Further, the callestablishing equipment is arranged for enabling calls from mobilecommunication user equipment operating as a client in the mobilecommunication environment at receipt of a call setup request comprisingan identity of user equipment operating as a client in the internetcommunication environment.

In a yet further example of the invention, the call establishingequipment is arranged for ensuring that when a voice or video call or amessage call is established between two mobile communication users, bothbeing represented as internet communication user, the call establishmentdoes not traverse the internet communication environment.

The arrangement according to the invention further comprises chargingequipment for charging of a call in which the mobile communication userequipment operates as a client in the internet communication environmentto the owner of the mobile communication user equipment.

Among others to provide a mobile communication user the opportunity toaccept or refuse calls from internet communication user equipment, thearrangement according to the invention comprises indicating equipmentfor indicating to the mobile communication user equipment a call setuprequest from user equipment operating as a client in the internetcommunication environment.

To place message calls to mobile communication users operating as aclient in the internet communication environment, also when the mobilecommunication user equipment is unavailable, in a further example of thearrangement according to the invention, the call establishing equipmentfurther comprises message handling equipment for handling message callsfrom internet communication user equipment to mobile communication userequipment emulated for operating as a client in the internetcommunication environment following a store-and-forward scheme.

In an example of the invention, the arrangement is comprised in acommunication gateway operatively connected to the Internetcommunication environment and the mobile communication environment. Thegateway resides on the edge between the mobile communication environmentor network and the public internet.

The invention, in a third aspect thereof, provides a communicationgateway equipped for exchanging communication data and signalling databetween an internet communication environment and a mobile communicationenvironment, comprising any of the arrangement disclosed above. Thecommunication gateway, in a further example thereof, comprises acomputer and computer program having program code means, which computerprogram functions to carry out the method of the invention as disclosedabove, when the computer program is loaded in a working memory of thecomputer and is executed by the computer.

In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a mobile communicationsystem, comprising such a communication gateway. That is, thecommunication gateway is controlled and operated by a mobile networkoperator.

In a fifth aspect, the invention relates to an internet communicationsystem, comprising such a communication gateway. That is, thecommunication gateway is controlled and operated by an operator of theinternet communication system.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides user equipment, arranged forestablishing calls with an Internet communication environment, whereinthe user equipment comprises a receiver and a display arranged forreceiving and displaying status representation of mobile communicationuser equipment operating as a client in an internet communicationenvironment.

As will be appreciated from the above, the present invention has theadvantages that:

-   -   no hardware is required to be installed at the subscriber's or        user's home,    -   no additional SIM card is needed by the mobile communication        user, and    -   no connection to a PC (at home) is required which needs to be        switched on.

The invention will now be further elucidated by an exemplary embodimentfor call establishment between an internet communication system and amobile communication system operating in accordance with the well knownGSM communication standard. The invention is, however, neitherrestricted to nor limited by this exemplary embodiment. Those skilled inthe art will be able to apply the teachings of the invention to othercommunication environments without having to apply inventive skills. Inthe drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements or elementsproviding like functionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic manner, a general architecture of anexample of an arrangement according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows, in a schematic manner, an example of status emulation ofmobile communication user equipment for operation as a client in aninternet communication environment, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows, in a schematic manner, an example of signalling and mediaconversion in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows, in a schematic manner, an example of UMA (UnlicensedMobile Access) registration notifications in the arrangement shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows, in a schematic manner, an example of differentiatedon-line status representation, according to the invention.

FIG. 6 shows, in a schematic manner, an example of calling name deliverywith USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) in the arrangementshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows, in a schematic manner, an example of charging for internetcalls delivered to a mobile communication user, in the arrangement shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows, in a schematic manner, an example of calling an internetcommunication user from the mobile communication environment, in thearrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows, in a schematic manner, an example of text message transferto mobile communication user equipment operating as an internetcommunication user in accordance with the invention, in the arrangementshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 shows, in a schematic manner, an example of enhanced statusrepresentation, according to the invention, including messagingcapability.

FIG. 11 shows, in a schematic manner, an example of text messagetransfer to mobile communication user equipment operating as an internetcommunication user in accordance with the invention, using USSD in thearrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 shows, in a schematic manner, components of an example of acommunication gateway according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows overall architectural view of an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention for communication between internet communication userequipment 1, shown in the form of a Personal Computer, and mobilecommunication user equipment 2, 3, shown as mobile telephones.

The internet communication user equipment 1 connects to the (public)internet 4 which provides for voice communication, and, in a moreelaborated fashion, also for video and/or message calls between aplurality of internet users. In the present description the terminternet and internet communication environment are used synonymously.For the sake of clarity, in FIG. 1 just a single internet communicationuser equipment 1 has been shown. The communication protocol used forinternet voice communication may comprise a Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) or any other (proprietary) data packet communication protocol,including a peer-to-peer communication protocol, for example.Communication protocols of this type are known to the person skilled inthe art, such that no further detailed explanation seems required.

The mobile communication user equipment 2, 3 may operate in anycommercially available mobile or wireless communication environment orsystem 5, such as but not limited to a GSM (Global System for Mobilecommunications) communication environment, a UMTS (Universal Mobiletelecommunications System) communication environment, a UMA (UnlicensedMobile Access) communication environment wherein GSM or UMTS areapplied, and a Home base system, for example. Likewise, mobilecommunication technology for use with the invention will be regardedknown to the skilled person.

In the remainder of the present description, solely for the purpose ofclarity, it will be assumed that the mobile communication environment 5is a GSM network and that the wireless mobile communication userequipment 2 is a regular GSM mobile telephone. Because the inventionplaces no requirements on the mobile communication user equipment, any‘black phone’ or legacy user equipment may be used. The mobilecommunication user equipment 3 may be a GSM mobile telephone with UMAcapability, for example. UMA facilitates access to the GSM network byusing an unlicensed spectrum, such as a Wireless LAN or Bluetooth. Itwill be appreciated that for providing voice calls as well as videocalls a user may also use a regular UMTS phone, for example.

The GSM network is a regular GSM network, including Mobility Management(MM) notifications. The GSM network generates notifications related tothe status of the mobile communication user equipment, i.e. attached vs.detached.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, acommunication gateway 6 is provided, which forms an interface betweenthe GSM communication network 5 and the internet 4. The communicationgateway 6 is generally expected to be controlled or operated by anoperator of the GSM network 5. However, the communication gateway 6 mayalso be controlled or operated by an operator of the internetcommunication environment 4.

In accordance with the invention, the communication gateway 6 isessentially arranged for performing the following tasks:

-   -   emulating the mobile communication user equipment 2, 3 as a        client in the internet communication environment 4,        schematically indicated by arrow 7 in FIG. 1,    -   representing a status of the mobile communication user equipment        2, 3 in the internet communication environment 4, schematically        indicated by arrow 8 in FIG. 1, and    -   establishing calls with the mobile communication user equipment        2, 3 as a client in the internet communication environment 4.

That is, the communication gateway 6 handles the internet user emulationaspect, the GSM mobility aspect and the internet call establishmentaspect, respectively. In particular, the communication gateway 6 isarranged to exchange call establishment related signalling informationwith the GSM network 5, such as ISDN User Part (ISUP) and non-callestablishment related signalling, such as Mobile Application Part (MAP).

Through the communication gateway 6, the mobile communication userequipment 2, 3 is “visible” in the internet communication environment 4as a regular internet communication client. Hereinafter also referred toas a mobile internet communication user. This facilitates that internetcommunication users may establish a voice call or a video call to themobile communication user equipment 2, 3 operating in the GSM network 5.Thus, with the invention, the internet communication user equipment 1does not need to subscribe to or has to use any facility or service forcalling mobile communication user equipment by placing or receivingcalls to or from a traditional telephone number, for example. Hence, theInternet communication user may use regular internet communicationmethodology to place a call to or to receive calls from the mobilecommunication user equipment 2, 3. In fact, the user establishing orreceiving a call in the internet communication environment 4 does nothave to realise that the called party, who is visible as a regularinternet communication user, is receiving or placing the call from a GSMtelephone, for example.

When a mobile communication user becomes a mobile internet communicationuser for receiving calls, he or she has to be provisioned in thecommunication gateway 6. In the GSM communication example, theprovisioning equipment provides the communication gateway 6 with theMSISDN (Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network) number ofthe GSM user, i.e. a mobile communication identity, as well as aninternet communication user name, e.g. John_Smith, i.e. an internetcommunication identity. The communication gateway 6 maintains bindingbetween this MSISDN and the internet communication user name.

The communication gateway 6 emulates an internet client on behalf of theGSM user. As such, the GSM subscriber is known in the internet 4 as aregular internet communication user, including internet communicationname, e.g. John_Smith. Internet communication user equipment 1 canestablish a voice call towards John_Smith within the regular internetcommunication environment 4.

The invention provides a mechanism whereby the availability status ofthe emulated mobile communication user equipment 2, 3 in the internetcommunication environment 4 is synchronised with the status of themobile communication user equipment 2, 3 in the GSM network 5. That is,when the mobile communication user equipment 2, 3 such as a GSMtelephone of a user is switched on (attached), then that user or userequipment is reachable and hence will be marked as “available” in theinternet communication environment 4. When the mobile communication userequipment 2, 3 is switched off (detached), then the user or userequipment is not reachable and hence will be marked as “unavailable” inthe internet communication environment 4.

Reference is made to FIG. 2. The communication gateway 6 receivesMobility Management (MM) notifications from the GSM network 5, i.e. froman MSC (Mobile Switching Centre) or MSC server 9, forming part of theGSM network 5. More specifically, the GSM network sends a notificationwhen the mobile user switches on his/her mobile communication userequipment 2, 3 (‘attach’) and when the user switches off his/her mobilecommunication user equipment 2, 3 (‘detach’) or when the networkdetaches the user equipment 2, 3. The Mobility Management notificationscontain MSISDN and IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) ofthe GSM mobile communication user equipment 2, 3. The MSC server 9communicates with other parts of the network using ISUP and BICC (BearerIndependent Call Control) signalling, as schematically indicated byreference numeral 10.

As indicated above, the communication gateway 6 contains a bindingbetween the emulated internet communication mobile client and itsMSISDN. The Mobility Management notifications are used to set the statusof the emulated client. When the user switches on the mobilecommunication user equipment 2, 3, the communication gateway 6 sets theinternet communication status to ‘logged in’, e.g. John Smith' internetstatus symbol will appear unblocked or will turn green, for example, onother internet users' PC screen 1, as indicated by reference numeral 11.When the user switches off the mobile communication user equipment 2, 3,the user is detached by the network, and the communication gateway 6sets the internet communication status to ‘logged off’, e.g. John Smith'internet status symbol will appear blocked or my turn red on otherinternet users'

PC screen 1, as indicated by reference numeral 12.

The Mobility Management notifications are MAP messages; see 3GPP TS23.078 v7.6.0, section 9. In FIG. 2, the mobility management eventnotification is sent from the MSC 9 to the communication gateway 6. 3GPPTS 23.078 specifies that the mobility management notifications are sentto gsmSCF (GSM Service Control Function). The communication gateway 6takes, in this architecture, the role of gsmSCF.

The mobility notifications sent to the communication gateway contain theGSM subscriber's location information, consisting of informationelements such as Cell global identifier (Mobile country code, Mobilenetwork code, Location area code, Cell identifier), Location number(e.g. representing a location according the local landline numberingplan) and geographical coordinates. The subscriber location, as reportedto the communication gateway 6, may be used to augment the user icon inthe internet communication environment 4 with a ‘location qualifier’.The location qualifier could e.g. consist of a text string associatedwith the user icon, giving an indication of the country where the usercurrently resides.

For privacy reasons, the mobile communication user has to indicate, whenbecoming an internet communication user, whether the locationinformation may be made visible to the internet communication community.The mobile user may also indicate to the communication gateway, whenbecoming an internet communication user, whether he/she wants his/herinternet icon to reflect that he/she is a mobile subscriber, e.g.John_Smith_mobile, rather than a PC-bound internet communication user.The user preference is maintained in the communication gateway 6, aspart of the user's profile.

The invention does not preclude that the mobility managementnotifications are sent to a mobility gateway, which distributes thenotifications to those entities that have subscribed to thenotifications, such as the communication gateway 6.

When someone operating as an internet communication user sets up aninternet call to John_Smith, this call will be established towards theinternet client in the communication gateway 6. That is to say, to theinternet client associated with John Smith (the mobile user). Thecalling user will not know that John_Smith is in fact a GSM telephone,for example. The communication gateway 6 maintains binding between theinternet client (John_Smith) and MSISDN (e.g. +31 65 161 3900).

As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the internet gateway 6 routes the callto a GMS Core network server 13 (GSMC) in the GSM network 5 that theinternet communication gateway 6 belongs to. In other words, thecommunication gateway 6 applies ISUP signalling towards the GMSC 13. TheGMSC 13 applies regular call handling for delivering the call to the GSMsubscriber. John_Smith will not have to know that the call originatesfrom an internet caller.

It be emphasised that this method of calling is completely within theinternet communication environment 4, not using any local accesstelephone numbers to contact users outside of the internet communicationenvironment. The calling party applies regular internet communicationmethodology for calling John_Smith.

The communication gateway 6 converts also between IP based voice orvideo and Time Division Duplex (TDM) based voice or video, as is used inthe GSM network 5. Reference numeral 14 refers to an Ericsson's MediaGateway for Mobile Networks (M-MGW), to provide video calls, forexample. The M-MGW signalling to the network and the communicationgateway is TDM, i.e. reference numerals 15 and 16, respectively. TheGMSC server 13 uses ISUP signalling towards the network and thecommunication gateway, i.e. reference numerals 17 and 18, respectively.

It may not be desirable that a call that is established via the internet4 and destined for an emulated mobile communication user is alwaysdelivered to the mobile communication user equipment 2, 3 of the mobileuser. A GSM operator, for example, who offers the internet call deliveryfeature to its users may, for example, want to restrict the feature tohome usage, i.e. usage in the home zone of the GSM network of the mobileuser. In other words, the mobile communication user equipment 2, 3 maybe marked as ‘logged on’ as an internet communication user only whenhe/she is in the home zone.

Such a restriction may be accomplished with UMA. See FIG. 4.

A Generic Access Network Controller (GANC) 19 facilitates that a GSMuser with UMA capable user equipment 2 (supporting WLAN) accesses theGSM network through

WLAN and public internet, e.g. a DSL connection at home. The GANC 19 maygenerate a notification when a user equipment registers with UMA. Thesenotifications may be used to ensure that the communication gateway 6marks the user equipment as ‘logged on to internet communication’ 11only when that user equipment is connected to the GSM network throughWLAN.

Instead of using UMA to determine whether a user is in his/her homezone, Femto Cell technology may be used for the GSM user, i.e. themobile communication user equipment 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, a home zone may be allocated to a particular BaseTransceiver Station (BTS) 20 which connects via a so-called A-bisinterface to a Base Station Controller (BSC) 21 of the GSM network, i.e.the MSC or MSC server 9. When the mobile user equipment 3 is registeredin a cell associated with BTS 20, i.e. the home zone, the mobilecommunication user equipment 3 may be marked as ‘logged on’ 11 in theinternet communication environment 4, through the MSC or MSC server 9and the BSC 21.

A home zone may include a Femto cell, which is smaller than a Pico cell.The BTS 20 may include a home access point.

In an embodiment of the invention, a call in which the mobilecommunication user equipment 2, 3 operates as a client in the internetcommunication environment 4 is charged to the mobile communication userequipment 2, 3.

Elaborating on the principle described above, the present invention mayinclude the following enhancement. It was described above that themobile communication user may want to be marked as ‘active’ 11 in theinternet communication environment 4 only when he/she is registered in aparticular area in the GSM network 5, e.g. registered in his/her homezone, registered through UMA or registered through a Femto cell.Rationale may be that when the mobile user equipment is registered inthe home zone, terminating calls to that mobile user equipment will be(reverse) charged to the mobile user at a lower rate or may be free ofcharge.

When the mobile user is outside his/her designated home zone, he/she mayremain contactable through the internet communication environment 4,however not as an emulated internet communication user. This may bereflected by the status icon of the mobile user in the internetcommunication environment 4, as depicted in FIG. 5.

The internet communication users will get an indication that John Smithcan not be contacted as an emulated internet communication user by adotted diagonal line in the status icon, for example, indicated byreference numeral 22. John Smith's GSM number is not shown. When aninternet communication user decides to call John Smith, he or she may doso using a special service by which access to the GSM network 5 can beobtained, such as via a (local) breakout, as disclosed above. Accordingto the invention, the communication gateway 6 may be arranged forestablishing the call towards John Smith, however the call will becharged towards the internet communication user, using a paymentmechanism in place for the above mentioned special service, for example.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, for indicating anavailability status of an emulated mobile communication subscriber, anyother type of status icons may be used than the ones shown in FIG. 5.

When an emulated mobile communication user equipment 2 receives a callwhen being called from the internet communication environment 4, therewill not be a Calling Number available in the ISUP signalling flow 18,17 towards the GMSC 13 and MSC 9. That is the regular GSM call delivery,as indicated by arrow 25 in FIG. 6. The present invention proposes thatfor these call cases, the Calling NAme Presentation (CNAP) feature beused instead. CNAP entails that the name of the calling party ispresented to the called party. One of the common methods for CNAP is thetransportation of the Calling Name through the ISUP signalling, morespecifically, in the Initial Address Message (IAM). When thecommunication gateway 6 delivers a call to an emulated mobilecommunication user, the communication gateway 6 may use the internetcommunication name of the calling party as Calling Name.

This method will work only when the signalling system in the GSM networksupports the transportation of the calling name. This is e.g. the casein North America.

Alternatively, if CNAP is not supported in the GSM network, the callingname of the internet caller may be delivered to the mobile communicationuser equipment 2, which operates as a client in the internetcommunication environment 4, by means of USSD, indicated by referencenumeral 26. Hereto, the ISUP signalling 18 between the communicationgateway 6 and the GMSC 13 as well as the MAP signalling 24 between theGMSC 13 and a Home Location Register (HLR) 23 of the GSM network, forcall delivery, would need to have the capability to convey the callingname, schematically indicated by reference numeral 28. The HLR 23 maythen transport the calling name to the called party (i.e. the mobileinternet communication user) by means of USSD.

One way is that the called party initiates a USSD service after thecall; the USSD service request will be sent to HLR 23, which returns thecalling party' name, in this case the name of the calling internetcommunication user. For example:

User sends: *100#

HLR returns: “internet: Wendy_Jones”

The prefix “internet:” in the above example indicates to the calledparty that the calling party for this call had established the call fromthe internet communication environment. Instead of “Internet” as prefix,it is also possible to use the name of a particular internetcommunication service, for example.

An operator may want to adapt the charge for a terminating call whenthat call was established by an internet communication user, using themethod according to the present invention as disclosed above, i.e.operating the mobile communication user equipment 2, 3 as a regularinternet communication client.

In FIG. 7, the mobile communication user equipment 2 is shown attached(roamed) to a Visited Mobile Switching Centre 32 using Direct TransferApplication Part (DTAP) as the protocol for signalling, indicated byreference numeral 33. Call details, among which charging, are recordedin a Call Detail record (CDR) 29. Reference numeral 31 indicates aso-called roaming leg call, i.e. the part of the call that extendsbetween the GMSC and the VMSC, which is to be paid by the mobile user.If the mobile user is in his/her home network, this part is usually freeof charge.

For adapting the charging, the communication gateway 6 may use adesignated Calling Party's Category (CPC) value in the ISUP InitialAddress Message (IAM) sent to GMSC server 13, as illustrated in FIG. 7.The GMSC server 13 may invoke a CAMEL (Customised Application for Mobilenetwork Enhanced Logic) service for terminating call handling; i.e. theCAMEL service is part of the charging system. The service invocationmessage from the GMSC server 13 to the CAMEL service includes the CPC,if available. The designated CPC value indicates to the CAMEL service(i.e. to the charging system) that the call is established from theinternet communication environment 4 and that the call was establishedas a normal internet call. The charging system may then e.g. decide to:

-   apply call charge for receiving the call, even when in the home    network;-   apply call charge for receiving the call, even when in the home    network, but not when the subscriber is in his/her home zone.

The CPC is defined in ITU-T recommendation Q.763, section 3.11. Anoperator may use one of the CPC values that are reserved for nationaluse. When the call to the GSM user 2 is established as a call beingcharged to the internet user, according to the method described above,then the communication gateway 6 should use a different CPC value. TheCPC value used in this case should indicate to the GMSC 13 in the GSMnetwork that the call will be paid by the calling subscriber.

Mobile communication user equipment operating (emulated) as a client inthe internet communication environment 4, in accordance with theinvention, may want to establish a call to a regular internetcommunication user 1. The mobile user John Smith, known as John_Smithwithin the Internet communication environment 4, may want to call theregular internet communication user 1 Wendy Jones, known as Wendy_Joneswithin the internet communication environment. John Smith is using hisGSM phone 2, for example, for establishing the call, but the call isdelivered to Wendy Jones in the form of a regular internet type call.FIG. 8 schematically depicts this scenario, involving an SCP (ServiceControl Point) network node 47, which communicates to the MSC 9 via CAPor CS1+ signalling, as indicated in FIG. 8. Other standard orproprietary signalling may also be used between MSC 9 and SCP 47.

John Smith establishes a call to Wendy Jones by placing “Internet:Wendy_Jones” in the Called Party BCD (Binary Coded Decimal) Number.Instead of using a SIP URI (Session Initiation Protocol Uniform ResourceIdentifier) as called party BCD number, an internet communication URI isused. Placing the SIP URI in the called party BCD number (by the GSMtelephone 2) is done with designated Numbering Plan Indicator (NPI).Likewise, the internet communication URI will also have a designated NPIvalue. See 3GPP TS 24.008 v5.12.0, section 10.5.4.7 for NPI values.

The MSC 9 will establish a (circuit switched) call to the communicationgateway 6.

The communication gateway 6 contains binding between John Smith' MSISDNand John Smith' internet name, as a result of the aforementionedprovisioning of John Smith in the communication gateway 6. Hence, thecommunication gateway can emulate an internet call from John_Smithtowards Wendy_Jones.

The following methods may be applied for routing a call destined for‘Internet: Wendy_Jones’ to the communication gateway 6:

(1) The MSC 9 applies switch-based routing; this entails that the MSC 9is configured to route calls that are destined for NPI=internet to thecommunication gateway, i.e. select an ISUP route towards thecommunication gateway 6. The MSC 9 will copy the address contained inthe called party BCD number to the called party number. Also, the NPI inthe called party number will be set to a designated, national-specificvalue, to indicate that the called party number contains an internetidentifier instead of a “normal” number. This method requires that thecalled party number in ISUP IAM shall be able to contain sufficientdigits to carry to the internet URI.

(2) The MSC 9 applies switched-based routing to the internet gateway 6.Instead of placing the internet URI in the called party number, theinternet URI is placed in another parameter in the ISUP IAM, like e.g.User-to-User information element. A CAMEL service may be used forrouting the call to the communication gateway 6. however, this is notpreferred if the CAMEL service should remain available for prepaid. Thecall to an internet user should be charged as local call. Being able toenter an internet communication URI on the GSM telephone, however, mayrequire special application to be downloaded in the phone.

A GSM operator, for example, may wish to prevent communication from onemobile communication user equipment 2 operating as a client in theinternet communication environment 4 to another mobile communicationuser equipment 3 operating as a client in the internet communicationenvironment 4, according to the present invention. The GSM operator,hereto, takes measures to ensure that the call from one mobilecommunication user equipment 2 operating as a client in the internetcommunication environment 4 to the other mobile communication userequipment 3 operating as a client in the internet communicationenvironment 4, is not routed through the internet communicationenvironment 4, but is handled internal in the GSM network. This may beaccomplished, for example, in the communication gateway 6 or in the MSC9 of the mobile communication user equipment 2, 3. Instead of routingthe calls via the communication gateway 6, calls between the mobilecommunication user equipment 2, 3 will be routed according to the normalGSM routing procedures, for example.

With reference to FIG. 9, messaging for the mobile communication userequipment 2, 3 operated as a client in the internet communicationenvironment 4 can be supported as follows. An arbitrary internetcommunication user equipment 1 may send a text message 35 to the mobileinternet user equipment 2, 3. The communication gateway 6 converts themessage to a message format that is suitable for text transfer in theGSM network, i.e. Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) 34, MSC 9 and HLR23, involving MAP signalling 48 and 49.

FIG. 9 shows that the message that originates from the internet user 1is submitted to the SMSC 34; the MSISDN of the emulated mobilecommunication user equipment, which is known in the communicationgateway 6, is used to address the mobile communication user equipment 2.The signalling and communication protocol used for the message transferbetween the communication gateway 6 and the SMSC 34 may be any of thecommonly used protocols for submitting a message from internetapplications to an SMSC 34. Examples include, but are not limited to,UCP (Universal Computer Protocol) and Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP),as indicated by reference numeral 36. The SMSC 34 takes care ofdelivering the message to the mobile communication user equipment 2, inthe form of an SMS. The delivery of the SMS to the mobile communicationuser equipment 2 is done through standard MAP signalling 49.

SMS delivery according to the invention includes store-and-forward. Whenan SMS destined for an emulated mobile internet communication user can'tbe delivered to the mobile communication user equipment, the SMSC 34stores the message and will attempt to deliver the SMS at a latermoment. The period for which the message is stored for deferred delivery(known as ‘Validity Period’) may be set by the sender of the message.The arbitrary internet user 1 may, when sending a message to the mobileinternet communication user, indicate the desired validity period forthe message. If e.g. the validity period is set to 0, the SMSC 34 willattempt to deliver the message but will not re-attempt delivery in thecase that the first delivery attempt fails.

The SMSC 9 may be owned and operated by the internet communicationenvironment 4. Alternatively, the internet communication environmentoperator may have an agreement with one or more GSM network operators,e.g. one GSM operator in each country, for delivering the messagesthrough these GSM operators' SMSCs.

FIG. 10 shows how the mobile internet user's icon may be enhanced toindicate that one may send a message to that user. An envelope picture37 indicates that (besides internet calling that user) messages may besent to that user. Of course other pictures or symbols may be used. Thetelephone receiver picture 38 generally indicates that calls may beestablished with the mobile internet communication user.

A further refinement to the capability of sending messages to the mobileinternet communication user is the following. The capability of sendinga message to the mobile internet communication user may be madedependent on the location of the mobile internet communication user.

Referring to the description above, where the capability to place aninternet call to the mobile internet user is dependent on the locationof the mobile internet communication user. For example, sending amessage to the mobile internet user is possible only when the mobileinternet user is located in his/her home zone. The mobilitynotifications described earlier indicate whether the mobile internetuser is in his/her home zone. If the mobile internet user is not inhis/her home zone, then the envelope 37, see FIG. 10, is not displayed.Alternatively, when the mobile internet user is not in his/her homezone, then the sending of messages to that user is not prohibited, butthe message sender will be charged for sending the message. The envelopeicon 37 may in this case be modified, e.g. shown in a different colour,to inform the sender of a message that a charge will be applicable forsending the message.

As reflected in FIG. 11, an alternative method for delivering the textmessage to the mobile internet communication user 2 is the use ofUnstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD). Hereto, thecommunication gateway 6 would send the text message to a USSD gateway39. FIG. 11 shows UCP and SMPP as possible protocols betweencommunication gateway 6 and USSD gateway 39. Alternatively, MAP oranother suitable protocol could be used between communication gateway 6and USSD gateway 39. USSD does not have the store-and-forward principle.Hence, if the mobile internet communication user's phone 2 is notswitched on, the message will not be delivered. Reference numeral 40indicates forwarding of the USSD message to the mobile communicationuser equipment 2.

USSD Gateway 39 and HLR 23 are normally owned and operated by the sameoperator. Hence, the internet communication operator would needagreement with operator(s) for text message delivery through USSD.

Message sending towards the mobile internet communication user 2 is, ina further embodiment of the invention, enhanced as follows. When amobile communication user equipment 2 operating as a client in theinternet communication environment 4 sends a message to another mobilecommunication user equipment 2 operating as a client in the internetcommunication environment 4, then the message will not traverse theinternet communication environment 4. Instead, the message transfer willbe handled in the GSM network. This may be accomplished, for example, inthe communication gateway 6 or in the MSC 9 of the mobile communicationuser equipment 2, 3, upon detecting that the destination of the SMS is amobile communication user equipment 2 operating as a client in theinternet communication environment 4.

FIG. 12 shows a general overview of an example of components forming thecommunication gateway 6 according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 41 designates emulation equipment for emulating themobile communication user equipment as a client in the internetcommunication environment.

Status representation equipment 42 represents a status of the mobilecommunication user equipment in the internet communication environment,call establishing equipment 43 provides for establishment of calls withthe mobile communication user equipment as a client in the internetcommunication environment. User provisioning equipment 44 provides themobile communication user equipment with an internet communicationidentity adapted for identification in the internet communicationenvironment and for binding the internet communication identity to amobile communication identity of the mobile communication user equipmentfor identification in the mobile communication environment.

Storage equipment 45 is provided, for storing information as to thestatus representation of the user equipment in a mobile communicationuser equipment profile. Preferably, the mobile communication user may,at all times, have access to the user profile for adapting the userprofile for operation as a client in the internet communicationenvironment.

Reference numeral 46 refers to equipment for handling message and/orpicture calls and the like as disclosed above.

Some or all of the components 41, 42, 43, 44 and 46 of the communicationgateway 6 may be arranged as a computer program executed in a computercomprised by the gateway 6.

The communication gateway may form part of or may be operated,controlled or owned by the network operator of the mobile communicationenvironment. Alternatively, the communication gateway may form part ofor may be operated, controlled or owned by the operator or serviceprovider of the internet communication environment.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that some of the functionalityperformed by the components disclosed above may be implemented byhardware or software using suitably programmed processing equipment or acombination of hardware and software.

1-26. (canceled)
 27. A method of call establishment between userequipment operating as a client in an internet communicationenvironment, and user equipment operating as a client in a mobilecommunication environment, wherein a status of said mobile communicationuser equipment is represented in said internet communicationenvironment, said method comprising: emulating said mobile communicationuser equipment as a client in said internet communication environment;and establishing a call with said mobile communication user equipment asa client in said internet communication environment.
 28. The method ofclaim 27, further providing said mobile communication user equipmentwith an internet communication identity adapted for identification insaid internet communication environment and binding said internetcommunication identity to a mobile communication identity of said mobilecommunication user equipment for identification in said mobilecommunication environment.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein callestablishment is enabled if a call setup request from said mobilecommunication user equipment operating as a client in said mobilecommunication environment comprises an identity of internetcommunication user equipment.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein a callin which said mobile communication user equipment operates as a clientin said internet communication environment is charged to said mobilecommunication user equipment.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein saidmobile communication user equipment receives an indication of a callsetup request from user equipment operating as a client in said internetcommunication environment.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein saidinternet communication environment is a Voice over Internet Protocolcommunication environment.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein saidmobile communication environment is any of a group comprised by a GSMcommunication environment, a UMTS communication environment, and awireless data-protocol environment.
 34. The method of claim 27, whereinsaid status representation comprises an indication that said userequipment is a mobile communication user equipment.
 35. The method ofclaim 27, wherein said status representation comprises call availabilityrepresentation of said mobile communication user equipment in saidmobile communication environment.
 36. The method of claim 27, whereinsaid status representation comprises geographical location informationof said mobile communication user equipment in said mobile communicationenvironment.
 37. The method of claim 27, wherein said statusrepresentation is selectively adaptable contained in a mobilecommunication user equipment profile.
 38. The method of claim 27,wherein said call establishment is dependent on mobile communicationuser equipment location.
 39. The method of claim 27, wherein callestablishment is disabled if a call setup request from said mobilecommunication user equipment operating as a client in said internetcommunication environment comprises an identity of another mobilecommunication user equipment operating as a client in said internetcommunication environment.
 40. The method of claim 27, wherein messagecalls from internet communication user equipment to said mobilecommunication user equipment operating as a client in said internetcommunication environment are delivered following a store-and-forwardscheme.
 41. An arrangement for call establishment between user equipmentoperating as a client in an internet communication environment and userequipment operating as a client in a mobile communication environment,comprising status representation equipment for representing a status ofsaid mobile communication user equipment in said internet communicationenvironment, and wherein that said arrangement comprises: emulationequipment for emulating said mobile communication user equipment as aclient in said internet communication environment; and call establishingequipment for establishing calls with said mobile communication userequipment as a client in said internet communication environment. 42.The arrangement of claim 41, further comprising user provisioningequipment for providing said mobile communication user equipment aninternet communication identity adapted for identification in saidinternet communication environment and for binding said internetcommunication identity to a mobile communication identity of said mobilecommunication user equipment for identification in said mobilecommunication environment.
 43. The arrangement of claim 41, wherein saidstatus representation equipment is arranged for visually representingsaid status on a display of said internet communication user equipment.44. The arrangement of claim 41, wherein said status representationequipment is arranged for providing in said internet communicationenvironment: an indication that said user equipment is a mobilecommunication user equipment; call availability of said mobilecommunication user equipment in said mobile communication environment;messaging capability of said mobile communication user equipment in saidmobile communication environment; geographical location information ofsaid mobile communication user equipment in said mobile communicationenvironment; and cost indication, in the case that establishing a callto said mobile communication user equipment operating as a client insaid mobile communication environment would incur costs for saidinternet communication user.
 45. The arrangement of claim 41, whereinsaid call establishing equipment is arranged for call establishmentdependent on at least one of: mobile communication user equipmentlocation information; and internet communication identity of userequipment operating as a client in said internet communicationenvironment.
 46. The arrangement of claim 41, wherein said callestablishing equipment further comprises equipment handling messagecalls from user equipment operated as a client in said internetcommunication environment to mobile communication user equipmentoperating as a client in said internet communication environmentfollowing a store-and-forward scheme.
 47. A communication gatewayequipped for exchanging communication data and signaling data between aninternet communication environment and a mobile communicationenvironment, comprising status representation equipment for representinga status of said mobile communication user equipment in said internetcommunication environment, wherein said communication gateway comprises:emulation equipment for emulating mobile communication user equipment asa client in said internet communication environment; and callestablishing equipment for establishing calls with said mobilecommunication user equipment as a client in said internet communicationenvironment.
 48. The communication gateway of claim 47, comprising userprovisioning equipment for providing said mobile communication userequipment with an internet communication identity adapted foridentification in said internet communication environment and forbinding said internet communication identity to a mobile communicationidentity of said mobile communication user equipment for identificationin said mobile communication environment.
 49. The communication gatewayof claim 47, comprising storage equipment for storing a mobilecommunication user equipment profile comprising information as to saidstatus representation of said mobile communication user equipment insaid mobile communication environment.
 50. The communication gateway ofclaim 47, comprising equipment for handling message calls, picturecalls, or both.
 51. A user equipment arranged for establishing callswith an internet communication environment, wherein said user equipmentcomprises a receiver and a display arranged for receiving and displayingstatus representation of mobile communication user equipment operatingas a client in an internet communication environment.